99-20995. Proposed Collection; Comment Request

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 156 (Friday, August 13, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 44238]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-20995]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden conducts a preclearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing 
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to 
ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, 
reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, 
collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of 
collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. 
Currently, the Office of Trade Adjustment Assistance is soliciting 
comments concerning the proposed extension of data collection using 
Form ETA 563, Quarterly Determinations, Allowance Activities, and 
Reemployment Services Under the Trade Act.
    A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be 
obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addressee section 
of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addressee's section below on or before October 12, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Curtis K. Kooser, Information Specialist, Office of Trade 
Adjustment Assistance, Room C4318, 200 Constitution Ave., NW, 
Washington, DC 20210. Phone [phone], ext. 111 (this is not a 
toll-free number), FAX [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    The Trade Act of 1974, Section 236(d), as amended, requires the 
President to submit an annual report to the Congress on the trade 
agreements program which includes information on trade adjustment 
assistance for workers. The information from this collection of data is 
also used in the Secretary's annual report to Congress on training 
waivers granted and revoked, as required by Section 231(c)(3) of the 
Trade Act, as amended by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 
1988. Furthermore, key workload data on the Trade Adjustment Assistance 
(TAA) and North American Free Trade Agreement Transitional Adjustment 
Assistance (NAFTA-TAA) programs are needed to measure program 
performance and to allocate program and administrative funds to State 
agencies administering the programs for the Secretary.

II. Review Focus

    The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments 
which:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
     Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
     Enhance the Equality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     Minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting 
electronic submissions of responses.

III. Current Actions

    This is a notice of proposed extension of collection of information 
currently approved by OMB and assigned--
    OMB Control No.: 1205-0016.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment and Training Administration.
    Title: Quarterly Determinations, Allowance Activities, and 
Reemployment Services Under the Trade Act.
    OMB Number: 1205-0016.
    Affected Public: State or Local Government.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc: Form ETA 563.
    Total Respondents: 52.
    Frequency: Quarterly.
    Total Responses: An average of about 4,275 responses are received 
each quarter, or about 17,100 per year.
    Average Time per Response: The average time per response is 
estimated to be 12 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 3,472.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): 0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): 0.
    Comments submitted in response to this comment request will be 
summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and 
Budget approval of the information collection request; they will also 
become a matter of public record.

    Dated: August 10, 1999.
Edward A. Tomchick,
Director, Office of Trade Adjustment Assistance.
[FR Doc. 99-20995 Filed 8-12-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-M